France’s 2026 budget plans are already causing political tremors, as opposition parties across the spectrum warn they may censure Prime Minister François Bayrou’s government over its proposed austerity measures.
Finance Minister Éric Lombard announced on BFM TV on Sunday, April 13th, that reducing the budget deficit from 5.4% in 2025 to 4.6% in 2026 will require €40 billion in savings. The announcement has drawn sharp criticism from right-wing parties, who say the burden is being unfairly placed on ordinary citizens.
“If the plan is to ask the French to tighten their belts again without the state making its own savings—on immigration, on public spending—then we will work to censure it,” said conservative National Rally vice-president Sébastien Chenu, reinforcing the party’s readiness to vote against the government.
Bayrou, who took office after Michel Barnier’s fall over the 2025 budget, is expected to outline austerity plans on Tuesday. While he has survived no-confidence votes before, mounting opposition may threaten his position.
Manuel Bompard of far-left La France Insoumise said his party was “ready to introduce a new motion of censure in the coming days,” but only “if the entire Left” supports it. Socialist lawmaker Arthur Delaporte added, “This government does not have a majority to adopt such an austerity budget,” warning they “will not accept a budget filled with social cuts.”
Bayrou only succeeded in passing the 2025 budget after making concessions to the Socialists, who once again hold the balance of power. Without their backing, a united opposition could potentially bring down the government.
As pressure mounts from both ends of the political spectrum, Bayrou’s speech on Tuesday will be closely watched. Outrage against the current government of France is growing again, since the judicial attack on National Rally’s Marine Le Pen ahead of the 2027 presidential elections.
